Microsoft CRM to be renamed under "Dynamics" brand

Posted by Mike Snyder on September 7, 2005  |  Comments (1)

From the New York Times:

Microsoft said yesterday that it planned to announce today a new strategy for selling software to medium-size business, including a revamped collection of programs that would handle specific jobs. The new software programs will be released starting this fall and through next year.

From Computing:

The firm has created the Microsoft Dynamics brand which it will use to market these currently standalone business applications.

The brand will replace Microsoft Business Solutions and, according to the Redmond giant, help it align products with its research and development roadmap, formerly referred to as Project Green.

Under the rebranding initiative Microsoft CRM becomes Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Great Plains becomes Dynamics GP, Axapta becomes Dynamics AX, Navision becomes Dynamics NAV, and Solomon becomes Dynamics SL.

Redmond said that the first wave of major releases under Microsoft Dynamics will share common client technology that focuses on a role-based user experience with integration to Microsoft Office.

Future versions of Microsoft Dynamics products will focus on common server technology, including a common process model.

Only Microsoft CRM will continue as part of the Microsoft Dynamics business management suite and will continue to be sold as a standalone offering.

My initial reaction is WOW! This is really big news. Of course, this raises a whole new set of questions such as:

• Will Microsoft brand the next release as Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0?
• Will any Dynamics rebranding delay the Microsoft CRM 3.0 release date?
• How long before we see the Dynamics branding really start to take effect?
• What happens to the "Microsoft Business Solutions" Partner competency?
• Will there be some sort of Dynamics logo or icon?
• Where can we get even more information about this change?

Unfortunately, none of these questions are answered on the official Microsoft Q&A! Oh well, we'll update you as we learn more...